Had a difficult time and need to talk!

Hi! I keep trying to start this post to talk about my experience, but I am so exhausted I just can't ever finish it! Well, here goes. I had my LAVH with removal of ovaries and cervix on July 30. I woke up in terrible pain, which kind of surprised me--it was so bad, I have none of the anesthesia amnesia of the experience. About a half an hour after waking up and with a few doses of morphine the pain was intensifying. It was definitely a 10 on the pain scale. Three hours later, still crying in pain the anesthesiologist finally decide to give me an epidural--he kept saying I had an unsually low pain tolerance. My doctor was perplexed as well. The epidural brought me some relief so after about 5 hours in recovery they put me in a "step down" with extra monitoring because my blood pressure had dropped and my pulse was high. My blood tests started coming back and the hemoglobin/hematocrit was low. It went from 12.9, then 10.3, 9.1, 8.4, finally 7.1. At this time it was 1 a.m. and my doctor ordered a stat ultrasound to confirm what he thought--internal bleeding. He told me I may need to go back into surgery or need a transfusion. He was extremely nice and sat up with me all night (later I found out because he was very worried.). The scan showed a large hematoma that seemed to be stopping anymore blood loss, so he decided to take the more conservative route of the transfusion. I ended up getting 3 units. Since my blood was so low and there was added worry of more bleeding, I ended up being kept in a low level ICU for 8 days. During that time my abdomen swelled to about the size of a 7 month pregnancy and turned completely black on the whole left side. The pain was so bad I could hardly stand it! I was so in and out but due to my vitals not stablilizing, I guess it worried my family alot and they were constantly there. In hindsight, I am glad I was somewhat oblivious to the whole situation. I kept the epidural for 5 days along with the catheter, so I was a long time before even getting out of bed.
The day I was leaving, I started having terrible pain urinating, and found out later (after being put on the wrong antibiotic) it was an ecoli bladder infection. Just as we were leaving I went to the bathroom, and started passing blood clots vaginally. This was a new sympton as I hadn't had any vaginal bleeding yet. The doctor came back and had me stay a couple of more hours to see if it stopped, which it did. I got home at 10 at night, and as soon as I walked in of course the bleeding started back up. I didnt call the doctor until the morning and at that time I was soaking a pad every half an hour!
He had me meet him at the hospital, and of course I was readmitted! A cat scan luckily showed that it was the hematoma causing so much pressure that the vaginal cuff was leaking out the blood, which was actually a good thing since it hurt so bad. I only had to stay another couple of days, but it ended up being 11 days in all!
I am now back home with strict orders to do practically nothing, which is hard, but fine as the pain is still pretty bad. I was on liquids only almost the whole time, but gained 18 pounds! This hematoma is cantaloupe size, with a couple of smaller ones as well. I am still bleeding, and although on antibiotics am running a low fever-99.5 with tylenol which has me worried about infection. I guess my stomach will stay pregnant looking and swollen until my body reabsorbs the blood which could take 1-6 months. Last night the bleeding was so intense it felt like contractions, I was literally in tears. I see the doctor Wednesday again, and he said not to worry about the bleeding because it is just the old blood from the hematoma which is good to get rid of. I guess draining it would be risky in the way of infection or more internal bleeding, so it is better to let nature take it's course. I am really nervous and worried--does anyone know about anything like this or have any advice? Sorry for the long post--I just needed to share and see what anyone knows. Thanks for reading!

three wishes!

I'm so sorry you went through all of that. I have nothing more to offer you as far as information goes, but I wish you smooth sailing from here on out.

Oh my goodness! What an ordeal... How aweful for you - i'm so glad you are ok. Fluid in the peritoneal space like you have experienced is extremely painful and has nothing to do with your "pain threshold".

I'll send you good thoughts - please keep posting so we can see how you are doing.

I have no advice but I am SO sorry you have to go through all of this. I hope you heal soon and most importantly are feeling better soon!

Peace and blessing to you sweetie. I'm so sorry for all you have going on. I know that sometimes talking about what is happening is a way of releasing some of our anxieties and pain and hope you feel better now you've gotten some of this out.

I too have a hematoma although I didn't go through all the other things you speak of. The pain from it was very intense and I got to the point that it was so blinding that I couldn't even voice to my SO how it felt. I just knew it was intense, and it was debilitating. My orders were pretty much the same as yours for a week, but the one thing that my doctor kept emphasizing is that it is better for it to drain...it's good that it's draining on its own. I looked at her and thought she was crazy at first...this, this could be a GOOD thing??!! She gave me antibiotics and ifyou want to know the truth I think I may have been headed for an infection (maybe UTI) as well, because it seems as soon as I started taking them my pain dissipated and the pressure left.

At this point I have a constant drain. I can't stand it...I feel like I'll be in pads forever. But according to my doctor, who was nice enough to CALL ME last week, she's convinced that 'waiting it out' and letting it drain on its own is the way to go.

I know that talking about my situation may not bring you peace in your own, especially considering the magnitude. I just wanted to touch you with my heart and let you know that you're being thought of and you're not alone.

Please know that in the SHORT time I've been on this site, I have found some of the most amazing people. Read, arm yourself with knowledge, find small diversions you can handle, and try (I repeat...try) to let nature take it's course. I'll be praying for you.

Shawn

ThreeWishes!!!! Guuuurl....my Lord -- I am SO, SO glad you here and are able to write about your ordeal and hopefully (fingers, toes and butt cheeks crossed), that you are finally on the road to recovery. I mean that with all sincerity. Wow, what an experience.

Is there anything anyone can do for you? Do you have enough help at home?

I don't know what to say.. I have a small hematoma above my vaginal cuff. The dr said it should resolve on it's own -- I hope so. I still have spotting too at this time.

Please rest and take it easy; I'm sure no one has to tell you that! Also, please post about your recovery; I really want to see how you are doing.

Much love and blessings to you!!

((three wishes))

My goes out to you! Your situation sounds a bit like what happened to me!

The day after my LAVH, I felt a lot of pain that led to dry heaving. We believe the intense dry heaving either busted a capillary, allowed a blood clot to release, or something along those lines. By the next day when I was suppose to be released from the hospital, I had a large swelling over the right side of my abdomen/hip! Yep, internal bleeding!

I, too, ended up with a transfusion, fever, blood pressure problems, pulse issues, and it went downhill from there! I was not released from the hospital until day 10.

My body did not end up absorbing the blood. Instead, I passed it vaginally for the next three months, including clots. I saw my GYN so many times during that three months it was ridiculous!

I also ended up with a UTI.

I was kept on bed rest for quite awhile until everything settled down.

I did end up with a cardiologist and neurologist out of the deal as my heart didn't like all the complications and I also was blacking out when I was standing up. Not fun, I can assure you!

I would suggest following your doctor's orders and do your best to take care of yourself--eat, drink, rest, and stay on top of any meds you have been given. Try not to worry and stress as that takes up the energy your body needs to heal. Likely your recovery is going to be extended beyond the typical 6-8 weeks so don't get in a hurry to get out your cape!

I wish you all the very best and am sending extra s your way!

- I am so sorry for the rough time you've had. I had a minimal of pain in comparison but I remember waking up in recovery and being surprised (and scared) by it. I can't begin to imagine all that you've had to contend with. All of us here understand though and even if we don't have any advice, we've got big arms for cyberhugs and soft shoulders to cry on. I hope you're on the road to recovery now.

I woke up in the night to a 101 fever and PAIN everywhere. I am seeing the dr in 1 hour and probably being readmitted. I will post when I feel better--I am super scared, but hurt so much not as worried as I would be--just want to feel better.